By Owen Watson at Stadium of Light

0

Jan 1, 2011 11:55:00 AM

Black Cats dispatch Rovers

Sunderland returned to winning ways this afternoon at the Stadium of Light with a 3-0 victory over Blackburn Rovers.

Danny Welbeck gave Sunderland the lead with 10 minutes played and benefited from a huge slice of good fortune. Ahmed Elmohamady crossed from the right wing towards Bent in the penalty area, where it was headed clear to the edge of the penalty area. Welbeck was on hand for Sunderland and had time to control on his chest before smashing it towards the bottom right-hand corner. It deflects off Gael Givet and flies into the opposite corner past the helpless Mark Bunn.

Sunderland didn't take long to extend their lead and it was another ball in from the right that caused Blackburn the problem. Elmohamady whipped in another fantastic cross as Darren Bent got across his man to nod the ball into the bottom left-hand corner to end his recent goal drought.

Rovers were largely limited in their attacking possession in the first half with the Sunderland defense working hard to restrict the space. They got an opportunity to test the hosts from a set piece towards the end of the first half from the left-hand side of the box. Morten Gamst Pederson delivered a teasing ball into the penalty area that found its way to El-Hadji Diouf, but the forward couldn’t control his shot and set it over the crossbar.

Blackburn had a chance at the cusp of half-time. A piece of individual skill saw David Dunn create space for himself and he let fly with a shot from distance on his left foot. His shot swerved violently, but curled wide of the left-hand post.

The visitors introduced Benjani at the start of the second half and the Sunderland defense found the forward hard to handle at times. This was evidenced when El-Hadji Diouf crossed from the right wing near the start of the second half and Benjani shunted Anton Ferdinand to pick up possession, he then laid the ball off to David Dunn on the edge of the box who lashed a snapshot over the bar.

Asamoah Gyan wrapped things up for Sunderland late on as Sunderland sprang on the counter. Zenden released Henderson who picks out Gyan, bursting free down the left. The Ghanaian dribbles at Givet before cutting onto his right foot and curling his shot into the bottom right-hand corner.